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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

D. H. NEWTON. STAROHING MACHINE.

No. 599,132 Patented Feb. 15,1898.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. D. H. NEWTON.

STARGHING MACHINE.

Patented Feb. 1-5, 1898.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. D. H. NEWTON. STAROHING MACHINE.

No. 599,132. Patented Feb. 1 5, 1898.

n1: wonms PETERS ca. wnotouwo wAsnmcrou n c UNITED STATES 'ATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL H. NEWVTON, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNO R TO WILLIAM A. NEWTON, OF SAME PLACE.

STARCHl'NG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,132, dated February 15, 1898.

Application filed December 9, 1897. Serial No- 66l,228. (No model.)

and particularly to machines adapted for starcliing collars, cuffs, and like small articles.

V In a machine for successfully starching small articles, such as collars and cuffs, it is necessary to have opposed flexible parts between which said articles are placed and are held while the starch is rubbed or pounded into them. Successful starching-machines therefore generally have two endless belts adapted to run in opposite directions, with the inner or adjacent sides or faces in engagement and of course running in the same direction. Suitable means are provided to saturate these belts with starch. The belts or aprons are usually of canvas, and the articles are fed between the opposed or engaging parts of the belts and while between the same are saturated with starch, which comes principally from the belts previously saturated with starch. tween the belts are discharged therefrom in good or bad condition, according to the speed of the belts, the saturation thereof, the material of which the belts are made, and particularly the working mechanism which is employed to operate upon the belts.

It is the object of this invention to provide a machine wherein the running belts are attacked upon both sides by mechanism capable of pressing upon the same, and thereby working the starch out of the belts and into the articles that are held between the belts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which is capable of running constantly, whereby its capacity is largely increased over those machines which have an intermittent movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide astarching-machine wherein the parts are so arranged that the working parts and belts may easily be removed from the tank In this way goods fed bec which contains the starch, whereby the cleaning or cleansingof the machine is made easy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a starching-machine which may be attended or worked. by a single person, the

goods being fed into the machine and taken from the same at points so close to one an other that one operator may both feed the machine and take the goods therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a small, compact, and light machine which may be operated with little power.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a starching-machine which will be of a simple and cheap construction throughout, whereby I am enabled to supply the market with a starching-machine at a very low cost as comparedv with the cost of other power starching machines of a capacity approximating that of the machine embodying my invention.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide means for maintaining an even tension upon the conveyer-belts, and, further, to provide means whereby the same may be quickly and accurately adjusted to obtain an even 4 pressure in all parts of the belts, even though the edges thereof may differ in length.

A further object of the invention is to provide a starohing-machine wherein all squeezing or pinching of the belts is avoided after the same leave the pounding or working mechanism.

The invention consists generally in a starching-machine of the construction and combination of parts all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a plan View of a starching-machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section thereof, showing a modification of the driving-rolls. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the mechanism or working parts of the device in a raised position. Fig. 4 isa perspective view of the working parts of the machine removed from the tank or vat. Fig. 5 is an enlarged employed with the lower conveyer-belt.

side view of the rubbing, working, or pounding rolls and showing different points for the attachment of the connecting-rod. Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of the same, showing a modification. Fig. 7 illustrates one of the driving or drawing rolls. Fig. 8 is a perspective detail showing the formation of the end of one of the rubbing-rolls. Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate modifications which may be made in the form of the rubbing or saturating rolls. Fig. 11 is a detail showing the tension device Fig. 12 is a detail of the tension device for the upper conveyer-belt. Fig. 13 is a detail View showing the nut or lug arranged on the frame and wherein the adjusting-screw of the tension device for the upper conveyer-belt is secured.

As shown in the drawings, 2 is a suitable frame, and 3 a vat supported in said frame and adapted to contain liquid starch. In the lower part of the vat I preferably arrange a steam heating-chambert. This steam chamher or heater is preferably a cored casting, either of brass or plated with or protected by brass or copper. In this casting is the duct or funnel 5, having a valve 6 at its lower end,

through which starch may be drawn from the vat. This draw-01f is preferably integral with the heater-casting. At one end of the vat is an operators table 7. The frame and the sides of the vat preferably extend above the level of the table 7. At the table end of the vat or tank are the two rolls 8 and 9, and in the forward and lower part of the tank or vat are the two belt-guides 10 and 11, preferably rollers, as shown, though curved plates or simple bars may be substituted for rollers. In the opposite or rear end of the vat, and preferably above the level of the roll 10, so as to be above the starch in. the vat, are the drawing or driving devices, preferably rolls 12, 13, and 14. These driving-rolls I prefer to make with enlarged ends 15, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7. One only may have the enlargements, as shown in Fig. 2. The enlargements are preferably rubber sleeves and are adapted to engage between them the edge portions only of the saturating-belts 16 and 17. These belts may be made of canvas, like the belts of most starching-machines; but I prefer to make them of a more porous material, such as linen crash, which will take up and retain more starch than canvas or ducking.

The two belts have their adjacent or inner sides or stretches in contact or engagement and rotate in opposite directions, so that said inner sides move in the same direction. The upper belt 16 is looped or supported on the guides or rollers 8 and 10 and the driving-roll 12. The belt is endless. The endless lower belt 17 is looped or supported on the guiderollers 9 and 11 and the rollers 13, 12, and 18, the latter being arranged upon the top of the machine. The upper stretch of the belt 17 and the lower stretch of the upper belt 16 extend in a substantially straight line between the roll 10 and the roll 12, and this is the working stretch of the machine. The upper stretch of the lower belt passes between the rolls 12 and 13 and thence forwardly to the roll 18, over which the belt passes, and is carried backwardly and downwardly between the rolls l3 and 14-, and thence forwardly to the rolls 11 and The shafts of the rollers 12, 13, and 14: preferably have bearings in the sides of the tank or vat or in the frame parts, and these shafts are connected by means of intermeshin g pinion gears 20, 21, and 22, though other means may be employed, if desired. On one of the roller-shafts, preferably on the shaft of the roller 13, I arrange a larger gear-wheel 23, which gear-wheel is driven by a smaller pinion 24, arranged upon a shaft 25, which on its opposite end is provided with driving means, preferably the fixed and loose pulleys 26 and 27, adapted to be driven by a suitable belt. Theshaft 25, like the other shafts, has bearings in the sides of the tank or vat. For the reason hereinafter explained the speed of the rollers 12, 13, and 14 is preferably less than the speed of the shaft 25, and hence the connection of said shafts by the pi 11- ion 24 and larger gear-wheel 23. The rollers are so geared that the two engaging stretches or sides of the belts move in the same direction between the rolls 8 and 9 and the rolls 12 and 13. The rollers are relatively fixed, and in order to take up the slack in the lower belt the rearwardly-moving portion 17 of the lower belt between the rollers 18 and 13 is guided and supported by means of a curved plate 19. This plate has a smooth surface and is preferably adjustable, as by means of screws 28. The tension of the belt may be adjusted by this plate, and by tilting the plate 19-that is, throwing it out of parallel with the roll 12- abelt of uneven dimensions may be caused to run evenly upon all of its supporting and driving rolls. It is evident that the starchbelt will slip one way or other upon the plate 19 much more readily than it would upon any roller which might be used as a take-up device, and the plate has the added advantage of occupying little space, of being more readily adjustable, and of lower cost.

A preferred construction of the plate 19 and the adjusting means is shown in Fig. 11. It will be understood that the plate is provided with end webs or sectors 19, one being located at each end of the plate, said webs being preferably slotted to receive the shaft of the roll 12. This shaft with the guide pins or lugs 19" arranged in the sides of the vat serve as the guides for the plate 19. screws are adjustable in the parts 19, and the screws are preferably swiveled in the plate, as shown.

The rollers S, 9, 10, 11, and 18 are preferably arranged in or upon a movable frame 30. This frame is employed to avoid the necessity of providing fixed bearings in the sides of the vat, and also in order that the said parts may be free from the vat and may there The adj usting.

fore be lifted out when desired. The movable frame 30, which I prefer to make independent of the driving-rolls, is, as shown, preferably pivoted on the shaft 25, on which it hinges, and may be lifted to the position shown in Fig. 3. When in this position, the

frame will lean against the driving-roll 12 and will stand upright without other support. The removal of the parts from the tank permits the tank to be cleaned and washed and also allows the belts and rollers to be readily gotten at.

Preferably on the top bars of the movable frame 30 and practically closing the top of the vat is the top plate or delivery-table 31. The rear end of this table, over which the upper belt travels forwardly, preferably extends back beneath the roll 18, and as the goods are delivered from between the belts they will be flattened and smoothed between the roller and said plate. The rear end of the plate is preferably secured to the top bars of the frame, while the forward end is left free, and as the plate is preferably of comparatively thin sheet metal it may be easily sprung out of the normal position and be employed, like the plate 19, to take up the slack in the belt which runs over it. I For this purpose I provide the adjusting-screws 32 between the frame and the plate 31, the construction of these screws being substantially the same as the screws 28, before described, and as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The end of the plate is bent or curved downwardly to conform to the downward direction of the forward end of the upper belt, and by raising or lowering and tilting the forward end of the plate the belt may be caused to play or run exactly in the middle thereof and an even tension may be maintained in all parts of the belt.

It is preferable to prevent an undue slacking of the upper end of the lower belt between the rolls 18 and 13, and more particularly to get the roll 18 out of the way of contact with the driving-rolls when the frame is lifted. It should be understood in this connection that it is preferable to have the normal location of the roll 18 as close to the driving-rolls as possible, thereby leaving as much as possible of the upper surface of the machine exposed for its use as a delivery-table. For these purposes I preferably mount the roll 18 between two links 34, which links have their rear ends pivoted upon the shaft of one of the driving-rolls, preferably the roll 12, while the forward ends of the links have slip or slidable connections with the movable frame. These connections are preferably pins or lugs upon the links and slots 36 in the movable frame. It is evident that when the frame is lifted the links will shift forward and upward in the slots 36, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby allowing the rear end of the frame to set back against the roll 12 or against suitable stops. It is not necessary to support the frame in this way, as other supports therefor may be providedif desired or rendered necessary by modifications in the detail construction of the device.

Obviously goods fed between the two belts and carried thereby through the liquid starch in the tank or vat would become to a greater or less degree saturated with starch by their contact with the wet belts; but to rely upon this soaking operation alone would require the use of very long conveying-belts or instead belts which would move very slowly and remain in the starch for a long time. It is therefore desirable to rapidly work the goods during the short period of time that the same remain between the belts. To do this most effectively and-at the least possible cost both in construction and power expended, I employ the opposed sets of rubbing, saturating, or pounding rolls 37. These engage the opposite sides of the working stretch of the belts-- that is, those parts of the two belts which move between the roll 10 and the roll 12. These rolls 37 are arranged in a light frame 38, which may be of any desired-length and form, and the rolls are preferably staggered or alternated in the frame with respect to the upper and lower sides thereof, and, further, the rolls are or may be set with their faces intersecting a common plane, so that the two parts of the two belts are kinked or crimped between the several rolls, and yet the rolls do not pinch the belts between them.

I prefer to stagger or alternate the sets or groups of working rolls 37, as shown, and to economize space,-the number of rolls, and the length of the belts I preferably arrange to reciprocate the group of rolls, giving them a speed considerably greater than that of the belts. The weight of these rolls is preferably supported upon the working stretch of the belts, and the result is that a given or constant tension is at all times maintained on the belts and all of the rolls have the same contact-pressure upon the belts. For reciprocating the working or pounding rolls 37 I preferably connect the frame thereof to the shaft 25 by means of connecting-rods 39, preferably pivoted near the lower or forward ends of the roll'frame (two points of attachment are indicated inFig. 5) and actuated by suitable means, such as the eccentrics or cams 40 upon the shaft 25. The rods 39 may be dispensed with, as shown in Fig. 6. As before explained, the shaft 25 runs at a greater speed than the driving-rolls 12, and therefore the working rolls will move back and forth several times during the time that an article, such as a cuff, is being carried through the same by the belts, and thus the starch will be thoroughly worked into the article. By supporting the group of rolls directly upon the working stretch of the belts all necessity for exterior supports or slides is avoided.

I prefer that the rolls shall act singly and be rotated by their engagement with the belts.

The working rolls 37 may be cylindrical in .form, as shown in Fig. 2, or, as shown in Fig.

8 ma be .ol "onalincross-section. InFi s. 7 y b b 9 and 10 I have illustrated other modifications of the working surfaces of the rolls 37. These preferably made with end portions 42 of less,

diameter than the middle portions of the rolls, and the edges of the belts extend over onto these round portions, the object thereof being to prevent the stretching of the edges of the belts.

The use and operation of myinvention will be understood from the following: After the machine and all of its parts have been thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned the tank is partially filled with liquid starch. The movable frame, with the belts thereon, having been lowered into the tank it may, if desired, be locked down therein by suitable means. (Not shown.) The leverage and weight of the movable frame is enough to render such locks unnecessary. The driving-belt being first placed upon the loose pulley 27 and shifted to the fixed pulley 26, the machine will set in operation, causing the two belts to travel downwardly between the rolls 8 and 9 and thence upwardly in a substantially straight line between the upper and lower sides of the pounding or saturating rolls 37 to the rolls l2 and 13. A few revolutions of the belt will thoroughly saturate the same with starch from the tank, and the belt will easily slip or slide over the plates 19 and 31, which plates will be carefully adjusted to obtain the proper tension upon the belts and compel the belts to run evenly upon the rollers. The goods to be starched are taken from the table 7 and are fed between the rolls 8 and 9, and they are carried downwardly between the engaging conveyer-belts and into the starch and passing the guide-roll 10 are from thence carried upwardly between or through the working or pounding rolls 37. As these rolls 37 are quite rapidly reciprocated by the action of the eccentrics, they perform a series of pounding or rubbing operations upon the wet .belts, and therefore also upon the small articles which are confined between the belts, thus very thoroughly rubbing or working the starch into the articles. The rubbing operation preferably takes place while the articles are within the liquid starch, though it is a fact that so long as there is sufficient starch left in the tank to saturate the two belts all of the goods that are fed between the belts will be thoroughly soaked and saturated, so that it is really unnecessaryto keep the tank full of starch. lVhen the goods which are held by the belts are carried between the driving-rolls 12 and 13, they are not squeezed or wrung thereby, as the gap or opening between the enlarged ends of said rolls permits the middle portions of the belts to pass freely. As the articles pass around the roll 12 they are carried forward between the upper end of the lower belt and thetop stretch of the upper belt and are flattened and smoothed between the roll 18 and the delivery table or plate 31. The articles will be carried onward by the upper belt, and when they appear on the exposed part or table portion thereof and have been freed from the roll 18 the operator will take the same from said table portion. Any articles that have been improperly or insufficiently starched may be allowed to remain on the belt and again passed down between the rolls 8 and 9. The feed-table and the delivery-table are so close at hand that one attendant is able to feed the machine and take the goods therefrom, and as the belts operate continuously the machine, though comparatively small, has a very large working capacity.

Obviously my invention admits of various -modifications which the foregoing will suggest to one skilled in the art, and I therefore do not confine the same to the specific constructions herein shown or described.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, in a. starching-machine, of two endless belts to receive the articles between them,with reciprocating m eans operating upon the said belts and supported thereby, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a starching machine, of the endless belts or aprons to receive and convey the articles, with a starch-reservoir wherefrom said belts or aprons are saturated, and a reciprocating working mechanism supported upon said belts and having no other supports than the said belts, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a starchingmachine, of two endless conveyers having their sides operating in the same direction and in substantial engagement, with working or rubbing means operating upon opposite sides of the engaged parts of said conveyers and said means operated by said conveyers and supported thereby, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a starching machine, of the two endless conveyers or aprons and means for wetting or saturating the same, and the working-rolls engaging opposite sides of a working stretch of said aprons and supported thereby, substantially as described.

5. The combination, in a starching machine, of the endless belts or aprons and rolls or guides therefor, with means for driving said belts or aprons, and the opposite sets or groups of rolls engaging opposite sides of said belts, and said belts being crimped or kinked between said rolls, and means for reciprocating said rolls, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination, in a starching -machine, of the endless belts or aprons, with the staggered or alternated devices engaging opposite sides of said belts, and means for re- IIO ciprocating said devices to run or work upon the said belts, substantially as described.

rection, with a suitable starch reservoir or holder, opposedalternated rolls engaging the working stretch of the said belts, and means for reciprocating said rolls, substantially as described. 7

8. The combination, in a starching-imachine, of the faced or engagingbelts, with means for supplying starch thereto, the opposed rolls engaging opposite sides of said belts and rotated by contact therewith and independent means for driving said. rolls at a greater speed than said belts, substantially as described.

9. The combination, in a starching machine,- of the opposed alternated rolls, with the endless belts operating between said rolls in the same direction, and means for reciprocating said rolls at a speed greater than the speed of the travel of said belts, substantially as described. V

10. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the two sets or groups of singly-acting rolls intersecting a common plane, with the two belts operatingbetween said rolls, and means for operating said belts and reciprocating said rolls, substantially as described.

11. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the two sets or groups'of alternating rolls, with the belts operating between the same, said rolls being ribbed, and means for reciprocatingsaid groups of rolls, substantially as described.

1-2. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the faced endless belts or aprons, with the means for driving the same, the rollframe, the alternated rolls arranged therein and pressing upon the faced portions or working stretch of said belts and means for reciprocating said frame, substantially as described. I

13. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the endless belts or aprons having faced portions, with means for supporting and driving the said belts, means for'saturating said belts with starch, the opposed workin g devices, arranged in a suitable frame and supported upon the faced portions of said belts, a driving-shaft and connecting-rods between the same and said frame for reciprocating said frame upon said belts, substantially as described.

14. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the two endless belts or aprons and the guides or rolls therefor, with means for driving said belts, the starch tank or vat, said belts having a Working stretch extending in a substantially straight line from the lower to the upper part of said tank or vat, and reciprocating working devices operating upon opposite sides of the working stretch of said belts, substantially as described.

15. The combination, in a starching-machine,'of the vat or tank, with the endless belts or aprons having a working stretch extending from thelower to the upper part of said tank or vat, a working mechanism operating upon said working stretch, and driving orguiding rolls arranged at the delivery end of said belts and having enlarged ends to engage the edges of said belts,,only,' whereby the squeezing of the belts is prevented, substantially as described. i

16. The combination, in a starching-machine, of a tank or,vat, with a pivoted frame therein and removable therefrom, the two endless belts operating over guides or rolls in said frame, and a reciprocating working mechanism upon the faced portions of said belts within said frame, and said reciprocating mechanism being movable with said frame substantially as described.

17. The combination, in a starching -ma chine, of the two endless belts, havingaworking stretch, with the starch tank or vat wherein said belts operate, reciprocating rolls engaging said working stretch and supported by the same, and means to prevent thesqueezing or wringing of said belts and the goods between the same after the departure thereof from said reciprocating rolls, substantially as described.

18. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the tank, with the endless belts or aprons having a working stretch, therein, the guiding and driving parts and rolls, the reciprocating working rolls operating upon said working stretch of said belts, the upper belt having a straight returning delivery stretch and the lower belt having an upwardly and forwardly extending straight delivery stretch cooperating with the delivery stretch of the upper belt to flatten and smooth the articles substantially as described.

19. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the endless belts or aprons, with the starch tank or vat, a rubbing or working mechanism, the driving-rolls, and an adjustable guide or tension plate for each of said belts and one of said plates constituting a deliverytable, substantially as described.

20. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the upper and lower belts and the rolls thereof, with the supporting-plate 31 supporting the upper stretch of said upper belt and therewith constituting a deliverytable, substantially as described.

21. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the upper and lower belts, and the rolls thereof, with the adjustable plate 31 supporting the upper stretch of said upper belt, substantially as described.

22. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the tank or vat, with the conveyerbelt therein, the working or rubbing mechanism operating upon said belt, means for delivering the articles upon the upper side or stretch of said belt, and the plate substantially closing the top of said tank or vat, and supporting said belt, substantially as described.

23. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the tank or vat, with the two endless belts operating therein, to carry articles therethrongh, and the plate substantially closing the upper part of said tank or vat and being an adjustable guide for the upper stretch of the upper belt, substantially as described;

24. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the tank or vat, with the two endless belts supported by suitable rollers,a working or rubbing mechanism, the lower belt having its rear end working over the upper stretch of the upper belt, and the plate or table beneath the upper stretch of the upper belt and extending beneath the forwardlyoperating part of said lower belt, substantially as described.

25. The combination, in a starching-machine, of a tank or vat, with the upper and lower belt or apron operating therein, the rear end of said lower belt being carried forward over the upper stretch of the upper belt to deliver the goods thereon, the roll for the forwardly-extending loop of the lower belt, and the plate or table extending beneath said roll and the upper stretch of the upper belt, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

26. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the tank or vat, with the movable frame hinged or pivoted and adapted to be lowered into or raised from said tank or vat, the two endless belts having supports arranged in or upon said movable frame, the working or rubbing mechanism connected with said frame and said belts, and an independent group of driving-rolls, substantially as described.

27. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the tank or vat, with the movable frame hinged or pivoted therein, the two belts or conveyors having supports in said movable frame, the working or rubbing mechanism also supported in said frame and movable therewith, means for delivering the goods upon the upper stretch of the upper belt or conveyer, to be taken therefrom, a pressingroll 18 carried by said 1110 vable frame and connected with a fixed part, whereby the relations of said roll and said frame are changed when said frame is raised, substantially as described.

28. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the tank or vat, with the movable frame provided therein, the independent driving-rolls, rollers or guides in said frame, the belts operating over said rollers or guides and over said independent driving-rolls, the working or rubbing mechanism to operate upon said belts, the operating-shaft therefor, the delivery-roll upon the upper stretch of the upper belt and connected with said movable frame, and also to a fixed part, and said movable frame being pivoted to be raised from said tank or vat, substantially as described.

29. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the operating parts including a belt and its driving-rolls, with the delivery-roll 18 located upon the upper side of said belt and near said driving-roll, a frame wherein said belt is carried or mounted, and said roll 18 having a movable or sliding connection with said frame, whereby when said frame is raised said roll will be kept out of contact with said driving-roll, substantially as described.

30. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the tank or vat, with the movable frame pivoted therein, to be raised therefrom, the endless belts and the rolls therefor in said frame, the drivingrolls, the reciprocating working rolls operating upon the working stretch of said belts and upon opposite sides thereof, and means for operating said parts, substantially as described.

31. The combination, in a starching-machine, of the two endless belts, with the ribbed working rolls engaging opposite sides thereof, and provided with reduced ends whereon the edges of said belts lap, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of December, A. D. 1897.

DANIEL II. NEWVTON.

In presence of- O. G. I-IAWLEY, M. E. GooLEY. 

